For the quality control of crude drug drink preparations, methods for identification of cinnamon components and quantitative determination of cinnamic acid were established. Cinnamon components were identified by TLC with benzene/ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v) on silica gel plate by spraying p-anisaldehyde-sulfuric acid. Cinnamic acid contents were determined at UV 280 nm by HPLC on -Bondapak Cls column with acetonitrile/water/acetic acid (40:60:2, v/v). Recoveries of cinnamic acid in three crude drug drink preparations were between 84.1-90.2% compared to the content of the cinnamon extract.

The analgesic effect of morphine was antagonized in mice pretreated with ginseng total saponin intraperitoneally, intracerebrally and intrathecally. The antagonized effects of morphine analgesia were reversed predominantly by treatment with L-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine in the tail pinch test and 5-hydroxytryptophan in the tail flick test respectively. These indicate that the antagonistic action of ginseng total saponin might be due to their inhibitions of the activation of descending ihibitory systems at the cerebral site as well as spinal. In addition, any appreciable changes of brain biogenic monoamine levels were not observed in mice pretreated with ginseng total saponin at various time intervals. These results obtained suggest that a newly equilibrated state of neurologic function could be found in mice pretreated with ginseng total saponin, and modification of neurologic function in the mechanism for the antagonism of morphine analgesia by ginseng total saponin was more important than the changes of brain biogenic monoamine levels.

Ginseng components were examined for their ability to modify immunotoxicity of cyclophosphamide. Ginseng polysaccharide fraction (FO, 300 mg/kg) inhibited decreases in the ratio of spleen to body weight, white blood cells (WBC) count and the number of plaque forming cells (PFC) induced by cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg, i.p.), and increased these variables in normal mice. Ginseng saponin fraction (50 mg/kg) showed to increase hemoglobin content as well as the number of PFC/spleen in normal mice. on the other hand, Panaxytriol (20 mg/kg) Prevented decrease in mc count by cyclophos phamide. Neither saponin fraction nor panaxytriol had any significant effect on the number of PFC and antibody titers in cyclophosphamide-treated mice. These results suggest that ginseng polysaccharine fraction may reduce the immunotoxicity of cyclophosphamide and may be effective in stimulating immune function in normal mice.

This study was conducted to know the elects of light intensity of polyethylene net shading on the growth status, photosynthesis and root yield of ginseng plants. Polyethylene net shading of loft transmittance was the best one among light intensities of polyethylene net used in view of photosynthesis and decreasing of early leaf defoliation. According to increase of light intensity under the shading chlorophyll contents of ginseng leaves were decreased. As it was increased over 2 mg/g Photosynthesis and total saponin of leaves showed on the decrease remarkably. The rate of alternaria blight of ginseng plants showed the positive correlation between light intensity and leaking rate. The shading of 10% transmittance in root yield was increased by 40% in 6-year-old ginseng plant as compared with common straw shading, due to decreased missing plant and increased root weight.

In order to know the optimum planting density under shading structures at different light intensity, We investigated the growth status, distribution of ginseng leaf area, correlation between planting density and root weight per plant and yield, correlation between leaf area index and root weight per plant and yield. According to the increase of planting density the leaf area per plant was decreased, but leaf area index (L.A.I) was increased. Ginseng leaf population at different lines under common straw shading were distributed mainly in frost lines but polyethylene net shading at 10fo light intensity were distributed equally in all lines. Optimum planting density in common straw shading at 5% light intensity was 55 plant per tan (90 cmX180 cm) and polyethylene net shading 81 10% light intensity was 60 plant per tan, in consideration of root weight and yield. Optimum leaf area index was 2.4 under common straw shading at 5% light intensity but was 2.7 under polyethylene net shading at 10% light intensity.

A field experiment was conducted to examine the growth of one and two year old American ginseng (Panax guinguefolium L.) in the arid interior of British Columbia, Canada. For both years of plants, early season growth was characterized by rapid stem and leaf dry matter production. Root growth commenced in early June and continued until early September. One year old roots had a dry weight of 0.1 to 0.2g at the end of the growing season. The two years old roots commenced the growing season at 0.Is and increased in dry matter by a factor of ten-fold. Dry to fresh weight ratios for both years were similar for root, leaf and stem samples at the end of the growing season. Leaf area index for both years showed similarities in progression over the growing season. As a consequence of the effectiveness of the microclimate modification employed to permit American ginseng cultivation (elevated shade cloth and surface mulch), plant growth and development was extremely good. This indicates the potential for the cultivation of American ginseng in dryland environments.

As with any crop. There are many things that need to be done to achieve success. IT must be emphasized that this is one crop that demands 100percent or more. This is a high input crop, a long tern crop, a labor intensive crop and a high return crop. However, to get the returns you cannot take shortcuts or go half way. It is essential that you do your homework before you commence this venture. This factsheet is designed to cover the basic steps involved in growing ginseng and some of the details. It does not contain all the bits and pieces of information needed. Many of these are practical, many are solved 'on the farm' and many necessary items can be purchased at the local hardware store. We suggest you do not venture into this crop until you have done your homework. At this time. we do not pretend to have all the answers and this publication serves only as a guideline. We wish you sell in this new agricultural industry in B.C.